Sheet Pan Dinners | Walking on Sunshine Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What to cook a sheet pan dinner at? ›

Basic: Roast bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts on a bed of thinly sliced bell peppers at 425 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes. Upgraded: Roast bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts on a bed of thinly sliced bell peppers, thinly sliced red onion and fresh oregano sprigs at 425 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes.

The right baking sheet to use for sheet pan dinners is called a half-sheet pan. It's made of heavy-gauge metal, measures 18 by 13 inches, and has a 1-inch rim all the way around. It's sturdy enough to take high oven heat — and sometimes broiler heat if your recipe calls for it.

We recommend foil over parchment paper for sheet pan cooking. As it conducts heat, foil can help accelerate the cooking process and help browning.

Temperatures range from 375-400°F for sheet pan meals. Depending on the vegetables and protein you've chosen, it may take anywhere from 35-45 minutes to cook thoroughly. Remember if you've chosen something you know will overcook in that period, you want to add it in later on in the cooking time.

Although cookie sheets are often referred to as "baking sheets," there are differences between a cookie sheet and a baking sheet (also known as a baking sheet pan or simply a sheet pan): Baking sheet pans have rolled edges with a lip around the entire pan, whereas cookie sheets do not.

Aluminum foil and parchment paper are your friends.

Line the pan with either foil or parchment before cooking to help make clean-up easy! Remember: If you're broiling, do not use parchment paper, which can catch fire. Go with the foil, and mist it with cooking spray to prevent food from sticking.

Aluminized steel, which is essentially steel sandwiched in aluminum, is more prone to uneven heat distribution. While stainless steel is a preferred material for many cookware pieces, it's widely known to be a poor performer in the baking sheet category because it's not as good at conducting heat as aluminum.

You don't really need to line the pan

There is a time and a place to use parchment paper or silicone baking mats—and in most cases, it has to do with dessert. But if your meal is on the savory side, skip the Silpat.

You can also prep components ahead and store in the fridge for up to 5 days, making it even easier! Sheet pan chicken fajitas with tender and juicy chicken, bell peppers, and onions tossed in a delicious homemade fajita seasoning. Ideal for meal prep or for a simple weeknight dinner.

I'll accept that argument for delicate cookies—parchment paper is a necessary precaution there. But for everything else, a little oil on the sheet pan should be enough. Plus, the more you use your sheet-pan unlined, the more seasoned it will get, making it more and more naturally nonstick.

Why not cover food with aluminum foil? ›

Don't use aluminum foil to store leftovers.

This allows bacteria to grow faster. Instead, store leftovers in airtight storage containers or food storage bags.

It is best to avoid fried and oily foods during the summer because they affect digestion and clog your skin's pores with excess oil. Artificial sweeteners and flavouring agents in processed foods are harmful to the body.

Like most nonstick sheet pans, it shouldn't be subjected to temperatures above 450ºF. That's a generous maximum for most baking projects, but this isn't a baking sheet you want to stick under the broiler or use to fire pizza at high heat.

A Baking Sheet—also referred to as a sheet pan—is one of the most versatile pieces of bakeware that you can own. These handy kitchen tools come in a rectangular shape, which makes them ideal for use in a standard kitchen oven.

Pan-roasting is a hybrid method of cooking using both conductive heat (by searing) and radiant heat (by roasting). It works well with small roasts and portioned cuts of meat that are more than 1 inch thick such as racks, loins, chops, and thick steaks.

Even if your cookie sheet is made of a heat-resistant material, exercise caution when using it on the stove. Avoid placing it directly over high flames or burner elements, as this can cause uneven heating and potential damage to the sheet.